Recently, two Iranian female journalists, Narges Joudaki and Donya Mohammadian, were convicted on charges of collaborating with the US and sentenced to a combined 14 years in prison. Their crime? Covering the death of fellow journalist Mahsa Amini, who died in Iranian custody.
Mahsa Amini, whose death was believed to be a result of torture, was an outspoken activist who was jailed for her reports critical of the Iranian government. During her incarceration, she suffered from a ‘medical emergency’ and tragically died in prison.
Narges Joudaki and Donya Mohammadian were two of the few journalists reporting on Amini’s story and detention. However, their work did not go unnoticed by the Iranian government which accused them of being agents of the US and sentenced them to seven years each.
This sentencing is a harsh reminder of the dangers faced by journalists who choose to speak up for those unjustly detained or persecuted for their activism. It also speaks to the risks – both legal and physical – that those who challenge the Iranian regime can face.
In a statement, the advocacy group Center for Human Rights in Iran condemned the sentences, saying, “These sentences are intended to send a chilling message to journalists in Iran. There is simply no safety net for reporting in Iran, and these journalists are just the latest to face the wrath of the state for informing the public.”
The group has urged the international community to pressure the Iranian government into releasing the two women and to investigate the circumstances surrounding Mahsa Amini’s death.
Journalism is a vital tool in holding powerful governments, like the Iranian government, to account and ensuring that those who are suffering can have their stories heard. It is outrageous that two women have had their freedom taken away simply for doing their job and shedding light on the plight of their fellow citizens.
We can only hope that when the international community calls for the release of these two women, and an inquiry into the death of Mahsa Amini, that the Iranian government will listen.**